How to Locate the Manas

When we are in the state of "I... I... I," when the mind perceives "I... I... I," we can seek the so-called "I" of the manas (mental faculty) right here. This "I" encompasses both the "I" of consciousness and the "I" of manas. By separating the intrinsic nature of these two, we can find the "I" of manas. The one that is deeply hidden, very stubborn, decisive, and not easily persuaded—this is the "I" of manas. This is seeking and realizing manas at the locus of its function. When you perceive "I... I... I," you can reflect right here, but this is quite difficult.

Reflect here on which is the "I" of manas. When you say "I," this "I" includes the "I" perceived by the sixth consciousness (mind consciousness) and the "I" perceived by manas. Only after separating these two can you realize this "I" of manas, but this is somewhat challenging. It is easier and quicker to seek the one that is constantly exercising mastery—the quality of being the master. When you think "I want to do this" or "I want to do that," the mind that masters and decides at that moment is manas. Seeking it this way is faster and simpler.

Another optimal time to realize manas is during sudden events. Observe your own reaction when an unexpected incident occurs. When a sudden event happens, you react immediately without thinking. The mind that makes the decision during that reaction is manas; seek it there. The more sudden the event and the faster your response, the more evident it is manas. This is because the mind consciousness has no time to react or think; it is entirely manas making decisions and choices based on habits and tendencies accumulated since beginningless time. It then immediately causes the six consciousnesses to produce bodily, verbal, and mental actions—all very rapidly.

For example, when something suddenly flies towards you from outside and is about to hit you, if you are alert and dodge instantly without thinking, the mind that decides to dodge is manas. Since beginningless time, it has clung to the body as "I" and has continuously been aware of the physical self, its condition, and circumstances related to it. When encountering a sudden event, it makes the body dodge immediately to avoid any harm or danger. The one that decides to dodge urgently is manas.

Or, when boiling water at home, if the boiling water suddenly scalds your hand, and you reflexively flick your hand away, the one making that decision is manas. The mind consciousness has no time to react. The sudden contact of the hot tactile object with the body happens too quickly for consciousness to perceive; it might sense the heat but has no time to consider what happened. Manas decides instantly to dodge or flick the hand away, or decides how to handle the situation, causing the body to react and respond swiftly. This is the decision of manas. Only after flicking your hand away do you feel the sensation, experiencing a sense of fear or pain—this subsequent reaction is the reaction of the mind consciousness.

Separate the intrinsic natures of manas and consciousness. Once separated, manas becomes easier to find. As for the eight consciousnesses, separate each consciousness, breaking them down into individual consciousnesses. By observing the functioning of each, you can understand the functional nature of each consciousness. After separating and identifying all seven consciousnesses, the remaining one is the eighth consciousness. Observing and contemplating the eight consciousnesses in this way leads to swift and direct realization. Similarly, when contemplating the illusory nature of the five aggregates, observe the activities of the five aggregates one by one, separating them. Once you understand the functional nature of each aggregate, you can observe the arising, ceasing, and changing nature of a particular aggregate and realize it is impermanent, illusory, and devoid of self.